S.S. Normannia

September 8, 1892

My dear Mr. and Mrs. Hegert,

Yours just received. It is with an aching heart that I attempt a reply. I have sent you two telegrams, when I sent the first,I was ignorant of your dear brothers death. As father was very ill dangerously so, and I was as anxious for the recovery of both, the doctor thought best to keep me in ignorance. The second telegram I sent contained the truth. It is hard for me to write, this voyage has been so full of grief and care that it is painful for me to refer to it, but it is my duty to you and I must be strong.

Mr. Hegert came to Hamburg Wednesday evening; we arrived there the same night but did not meet till the next morning, when we took him in the hack with us and rode about to attend to our business. We were all so happy to be together again and ar the thought that we were on our homeward journey. In the cab Mr. Hegert laid his hand on my lap and said that, this is the happiest minute of my visit to be with you again. He said he had a very nice visit all the while but was glad we were going home. I think he had gained in flesh and was looking well. He and I were together all the time, he went with me while I did some shopping.

I was very sick Saturday and Sunday but tried to stay on deck where we sat together nearly all day Sunday. I was better Monday and Mr. Hegert was with me in the forenoon but said he felt very seasick and he looked pale. In the afternoon he was not about, and when I went to see my father who had been ill two days, he was lying in his bed. Both were very thirsty and I procured drink for them and immediately summoned the doctor, both seemed very ill but I was not so much alarmed as most of the passengers were very ill with seasickness.

Later in the evening Mr. Hegert told me that he could not live till morning, and gave me his large pocket book containing papers, and money with the injunction that I should care for it, then he took off the ring he had bought for Mrs. Hegert in Germany and gave it to me saying that I should take it to his "dear wife". I took them and spoke all the words of cheer possible, but he shook his head. I have often heard that many people think they are going to die when they are very seasick. The doctor was very attentive and I stayed there till about eleven when I had to leave as two other gentlemen occupied berths in the same state room. I did all I could for him, I stroked his forehead, rubbed his ankles, held his hand, and put my arm around him and raised his head to drink. I went to bed but not to sleep, for my two dear ones were dangerously ill out in mid ocean.

When I went to their room early in the morning his bed was empty; my heart almost stood still as his words passed through my mind but I gained courage and cheerfully asked where Mr. Hegert was. They told me that he had been taken to the Hospital. I was very sad for the doctor gave us so little hopes for his recovery, and when I begged to go and see him, the doctor refused me so I sent him notes and other little tokens of greeting, from day to day, and inquired so anxiously for him, when all this time he was resting in his ocean grave. Oh, I am so full of sorrow and sympathy for the grief stricken loved ones. But I am glad that I did not know of his death sooner for I was sorrowed anyway.

I scarcely slept at all till Sunday night. My father is very well now except a little weakness. While he was ill I did not dare show my anxiety before him but some-times I could not endure it and would have to go off somewhere and cry. I kept Mr. Hegert's death away from him till recently when he saw the notice in the paper.

The doctor has promised to write don't know whether he has done so yet. Mr. Hegert had good attention and care but his illness was very brief. All his belongings are with the purser except the pocket book and ring he gave me and his watch. The gold watch that he bought for Mrs. Hegert is with the purser. All those things will be given us to take home when we get our release which I hope is near at hand. The doctor says he died of Cholerine, not cholera, but some of the papers stated the later trouble. If it was cholera then I had almost a miraculous escape for I was about him till within a few hours of his death and took no precautions whatever.

The other gentlemen were removed from the room and I have stayed there with my father ever since. I am so grateful to our Heavenly Father that life and strength have been mine and that my father has been spared to me. Had he been taken I do not know how I could possibly have endured the quarantine here. Police boats guard our quarantine and we have no communication with the world except as official boats come to us. To my best knowledge there are no cases of sickness among the passengers. All are trying to be cheerful but our situation is far from being pleasant. We hope to be removed to Sandy Hook tomorrow.

The sickness is among the steerage passengers and the crew, but I suppose you know as much of our situation as we do, though the newspaper reports are greatly exaggerated. the doctor says that your brother had very poor lungs and a weak heart and asked if he had not complained of lung trouble. I never heard him. I opened your letter to him and learned of Mrs. Hegert's presence with you. It is very hard, I dare not talk to my father about it he feels to bad. I had so much to bear among strangers but every one has been so very kind and sympathetic. I thank you so much for your letter received today, it was the first message received from friends. Since then I have had a telegram from Midland College but nothing from Oakland. I know my people are almost distracted with anxiety about us, but we hope to be with them soon. I know you all mourn, and we grieve with you. I loved him like an Uncle he was so good to me. I miss him every day.

Sadly and Prayfully,

Addie Young